Trolling device for high powered motorboats



TROLLING DEVICE FOR HIGH POWERED MOTORBOATS Filed Aug. 17, 1966 S. E. LUSBY May 21, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SETH E. LUSBY BY UONEL V. TEFFT Aflo may May 21, 1968 s. E. LUSBY 3,384,045

TROLLING DEVICE FOR HIGH POWERED MOTORBOATS Filed Aug. 17, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR SETH E. LUSBY LIONEL V. TEFFT Attorney United States Patent 3,384,045 TROLLING DEVICE FOR HIGH IQWERED MOTORBOATS Seth E. Lnsby, 11745 Holmes, Yueaipa, Calif. Filed Aug. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 572,984 3 Claims. (Cl. 114-145) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to boat accessories and particularly to a trolling device for high powered motorboats.

One of the main objects of the device is to produce a trolling device which is semi-automatic in operation and can be easily installed on various types of motor arrangements such as outboard or the inboard motor and outboard lower unit combination.

Another object of the invention is to produce a trolling device which will automatically retract when the motor is accelerated in speed to a point in excess of the power required for trolling with the device in trolling position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device quickly attachable to existing boat motor installations to reduce propeller thrust to slow trolling speeds.

Yet another object of the invention is to use a trolling plate for reduction of propeller thrust with a safety factor of automatic retraction when maximum power is required.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device, which in its retracted position, does not interfere with the normal operation of the boat'propulsion unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a very light weight trolling attachment which can be quickly attached to standard and existing motorboat propulsion units without requiring any modifications to said propulsion units.

By the installation of an automatic trolling plate of the aforementioned type described, boats which ordinarily, because of their power and design, would be classed as speed boats or skiboats could be used as fishing or slow trolling boats, thereby adding to the utility and versatility of expensive recreational boating equipment, but having the safety feature of instantly and automatically converting to its original underwater configuration, simply by increasing motor power above trolling speed.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, herewith, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a typical installation of the device;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the installation in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the device;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the device in retracted position;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of trolling plate in relation to boat water line; and

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the device raising to retraced position by force of propulsion unit.

Referring to the drawings, a standard propulsion unit 10 has attached thereto a trolling plate 12 in movable relation to propulsion unit 10 through pivoted control arms 14 and 16 which are adjustably connected to the trolling plate 12 by center bolts 18 and nuts 22 and 24 through a plate 26 and a plate 28 adjustably pivoted to plate 12 through reinforcing segment and adjustably locked by a bolt 31 and a nut 32.

Control arms 14 and 16 are pivotally connected to mounting brackets 34 and 36 by means of bolts 35 and 37 which also retain vertical support mounts 38 and 39. The complete assembly is mounted to the propulsion unit on existing bolts at 48 and 41 and 42 and 43.

In trolling position, the plate 12 is held in the down posiiion by springs 44 and 45 and resting on a rear area of the propulsion unit by padded spreader arch 46.

Rubber bumpers 48 are fixedly attached to metal mounting brackets 49 and 50 and are mounted to existing bolts in propulsion unit at a height to contact spreader bar 46 when the trolling plate is in a retracted position. In retracted position, the angle of springs 44 and 45 is above the fulcrum point 38 which then holds the trolling plate assembly firmly against rubber bumpers 48 in contact with the arched spreader bar 46.

In attaching the trolling plate assembly to a propulsion unit, holes 29 and 33 in mounting brackets 34 and 36 are attached to bolts 40 and 42 on the propulsion unit. To obtain vertical stability of mounting brackets 34 and 36 support mounts 38 and 39 attach to bolts 41 and 43 on the propulsion unit.

The operation of the device is relatively simple. When it is desired to use the trolling plate, it is manually depressed to the position shown in FIGURE 1. In this position, the thrust from the propeller is obstructed to the extent that very slow speeds are possible. When first installed, it is necessary to adjust the angle of the plate in relation to the thrust of the propeller. As it is used, when properly adjusted, the springs hold the plate in proper trolling position until it is desired to retract the trolling plate. To raise and retract the plate, the motor is accelerated causing increased thrust and turbulence, forcing the trolling plate to move upward and into the retracted position automatically.

While I have described in considerable detail what I believe to be the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the shape and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the broad scope of my invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A trolling device for a boat and high powered propulsive unit comprising:

a mounted bracket detachably and pivotally connected to the propulsive unit above the water line and movable to a substantially horizontal operative supported position on the power unit;

a trolling blade depending from the outer end of said bracket into a position behind the propeller when desired; and

spring means secured to the power unit rearwardly of the pivoted connection of the bracket and to the trolling blade whereby said bracket and blade may be manually moved to trolling position but automatical- 3 4 1y elevated to an inoperative position out of the References Cited water when high boat speed is suddenly required. 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which there is an UNITED STATES PATENTS adjustable connection between the bracket and said blade, 1,576,237 3/1926 Dawson 114-145 3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which a member 5 3,117,548 1/1964 Rasmussen 114145 on said bracket contacts vertical or horizontal stop portions on the propulsion unit. ANDREW H. FARRELL, Primary Examiner. 

